Madera County Grand Jury
• 2011-2012
2011-2012 Madera County Grand Jury Final Report on Citizen Complaint Regarding City of Chowchilla
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 16 findings
F1
The Grand Jury found no information regarding land purchased by the City without obtaining clear title and deed.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Grand Jury found that RDA funding was used for water system improvements.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The Grand Jury found that redevelopment agencies have been abolished by the Governor effective February 1, 2012.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The Grand Jury found that the City Council had, at one time, considered declaring bankruptcy as an option for dealing with the City’s financial issues.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The Grand Jury found that the City Council adopted a balanced budget for fiscal year 2011-2012.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The Grand Jury found that the City Council receives for its approval a monthly report of all bills to be paid.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The Grand Jury found that there is on-going litigation by the City against the former City Manager.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The Grand Jury found that the build-out east of Hwy. 99 includes a school, church, golf course, shopping center, businesses, and large housing developments.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The Grand Jury found that increased traffic flow, narrow walking paths, and inadequate railing present safety issues for vehicles and pedestrians on the Robertson Blvd. overpass.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The Grand Jury found that there has been no expansion of and only minor improvements to the Robertson Blvd. overpass at Hwy. 99 to address the traffic and safety issues.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The Grand Jury found that impact fees, dedicated for overpass development, are required for building on the east side of Hwy. 99.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The Grand Jury found that a portion of the impact fees collected have been spent on required planning for the overpass.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The Grand Jury found that the City’s General Plan includes a 5-lane overpass on Robertson Blvd. which will cost about $30 million, including the purchase of additional land.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The Grand Jury found that the west side water quality remains the same as it has historically been and that the east side water pressure is the lowest.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
The Grand Jury found that the swimming pool, built with a private donation from a Chowchilla family, is owned by the high school and opened to the public when life guard services can be provided.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
The Grand Jury found that a particular Council Member does not recuse himself from discussing or voting on City Council agenda items which could impact the value of property owned by a source of substantial income to his business. Conclusions:
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 4
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CL1The Grand Jury concluded that RDA funds were not available for public application, having been spent on water system improvements. However, with the abolishment of RDAs, the issue is moot.
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CL2The Grand Jury concluded that the City is not bankrupt.
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CL3The Grand Jury concluded that the City allowed broad development on the east side of Hwy. 99 without resolving the traffic and safety issues of the connecting Robertson Blvd. overpass.
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CL4The Grand Jury concluded that the Council Member’s failure to recuse himself from discussing or voting on City Council agenda items which could impact the value of property owned by a source of substantial income to his business has the appearance of conflict of interest.
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Chowchilla
City
Madera County District Attorney
Elected County Office